First Spy Shots of Restyled 2013 Mazda 6

Prototypes are often spied long before their debut date but Mazda's new midsize sedan flagship has been kept well under wraps by the Japanese automaker and has only just been spied, just weeks before its expected debut at the Moscow Motor Show at the end of August. Even with all that camouflage, the all-new Mazda 6, seen here in Wagon form, shares little in common with the current model; its new front end design clearly inspired by the Takeri concept presented in the last Tokyo Car Show.

As you'd expect, the styling isn't quite as outlandish and is more in keeping with the CX-5, however Mazda has clearly looked at how the emerging Korean powerhouses Kia and Hyundai have used impressive designs to attract new customers and adopted the same philosophy. Hence the new, bigger grille, swept back headlights and beefed up wheel arches that combine to give the Mazda 6 a sportier, more aggressive look. The new Mazda 6 will ride on an all-new platform, considerably lighter than its predecessor, and feature the new Skyactiv fuel saving technologies.

This will include the Skyactiv-D Clean diesel engine, good for 165hp and 300lb-ft of torque, while the car will also get the new six-speed automatic transmission, an engine idle-stop system, and will be the first Mazda equipped with regenerative braking.